Maria Shriver: 'This Is a Painful and Heartbreaking Time'

Maria Shriver has asked for compassion and privacy just hours after it was revealed that her husband of 25 years, former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, had fathered a child with a member of their household staff.

"This is a painful and heartbreaking time," Shriver said in a statement to the media. "As a mother, my concern is for the children. I ask for compassion, respect and privacy as my children and I try to rebuild our lives and heal. I will have no further comment."

They have four children, ranging in age from 13 to 21. One of them, 17-year-old Patrick, took to Twitter today to say he "feels like s**t" but loves his family.

Arnold and Maria

Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's home entrance is shown outside a gated community Tuesday May 17, 2011 in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles. Schwarzenegger acknowledged Tuesday that he fathered a child with a member of his household staff, a revelation that apparently prompted wife Maria Shriver to leave the couple's home before they announced their separation. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

FILE - This file photo taken Oct. 7, 2003, shows former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife, Maria Shriver, as they celebrate his victory in the California gubernatorial recall election in Los Angeles. Schwarzenegger has acknowledged that he fathered a child with a member of his household staff, a revelation that apparently prompted wife Maria Shriver to leave the couple's home before they announced their separation last week. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

FILE - In this file photo taken Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger kisses his wife, Maria Shriver, after taking his oath of office in Sacramento, Calif. Schwarzenegger has acknowledged that he fathered a child with a member of his household staff, a revelation that apparently prompted wife Maria Shriver to leave the couple's home before they announced their separation last week. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

(FILES)California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks to reporters after members of the National Governors Association met with US President Barack Obama February 22, 2010 at the White House in Washington, DC. Movie megastar and former US governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said Tuesday his wife Maria Shriver separated from him after he admitted to fathering a child with a member of the household staff. "After leaving the governor's office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago," Schwarzenegger, 63, said in the statement to the Los Angeles Times."I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family. There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

(FILES)California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger makes the announcement that sufficient money had been raised to purchase and protect the land around the historic Hollywood sign in Hollywood on April 26, 2010. Movie megastar and former US governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said May 17, 2011 his wife Maria Shriver separated from him after he admitted to fathering a child with a member of the household staff. "After leaving the governor's office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago," Schwarzenegger, 63, said in the statement to the Los Angeles Times. "I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family. There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. AFP PHOTO/Mark RALSTON (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)

(FILES) In this filed photo dated October 2, 2009 shows former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife Maria Shriver during a photo call at the Governors' Global Climate Summit in Los Angeles. Movie megastar and former US governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said Tuesday his wife Maria Shriver separated from him after he admitted to fathering a child with a member of the household staff. "After leaving the governor's office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago," Schwarzenegger, 63, said in the statement to the Los Angeles Times. "I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family. There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTON / FILES (Photo credit should read MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)

In a May 10, 2011 photo Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks at the Israel 63rd Independence Day Celebration hosted by the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles. Schwarzenegger has acknowledged that he fathered a child with a member of his household staff, (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

In a May 10, 2011 photo Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks at the Israel 63rd Independence Day Celebration hosted by the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles. Schwarzenegger has acknowledged that he fathered a child with a member of his household staff, (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks at the Israel 63rd Independence Day Celebration hosted by the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles, Tuesday, May 10, 2011. Schwarzenegger was honored at the event. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 10: (FILE PHOTO) Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger accepts an award at Skirball Cultural Center on May 10, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times that he fathered a child with a member of his household staff. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images For The Consulate General of Israel)

The former California governor had similar sentiment in comments to the Los Angeles Times earlier Tuesday. "I ask that the media respect my wife and children through this extremely difficult time. While I deserve your attention and criticism, my family does not."

Shriver reportedly moved out of the couple's house earlier this year after Schwarzenegger revealed to her that he was the father of a staff member's child.

"After leaving the governor's office I told my wife about this event, which occurred over a decade ago," Schwarzenegger said Monday in a statement. "I understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family. There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt I have caused. I have apologized to Maria, my children and my family. I am truly sorry."

The woman with whom Schwarzenegger had the affair reportedly worked in the family's home for the past 20 years, and retired this past January. Though her name has not been released, she told the Times that she left voluntarily and received severance pay.

"I wanted to achieve my 20 years, then I asked to retire," she said, adding that she "left on good terms with them."

Schwarzenegger and Shriver announced their seemingly shocking separation just last week.

But the whole point is that Arnold should NOT be called a "family-values" Republican in the first place because he never was one. His being pro-abortion makes that point clear better than anything. And just because some Republicans who claim to be FOR family values end-up failing terribly in this area doesn't make those values any less true and something to aspire to. I feel especially for Mrs. Schwarzenegger, who--like so many of the other Kennedy women--have had to endure unfaithful husbands. But with the "values" most Democrats hold (and RHINO Republicans), why should any one be surprised here?

Oh, yes!!! Bunch of hypocrites those republicans. Always judging and pushing "family values" on everyone, and then go and cheat, lie, hide behind closed doors, etc. On another note, I can't believe this woman still worked for them and Arnold allowed her to still work there, and who knows if they were having an affair the past 20 years right under Maria's nose!!! What about the child they had? How is the fact that Arnold is the father going to affect that child in the long run? My heart goes out to Maria Shriver. What Arnold did and the woman, as well, is such a betrayel.

I said almost the exact thing you did! It makes you sick all that bible thumping and telling everyone how to live their lives yet they are out there doing whatever the heck they want to, damb the consequences!!

good old negger isnt a rep hes a demoncrap, look at his record it speaks for itself, he married a demoncrap he was a repub in name only... get real and get your head out of your a**i think the marriage was a sham from the beginning alike all the other kennedy marriages.. now theres a horrible family-the kennedys,, the epitome of deceit and all things bad....

All those people bringing up Clintons cheating etc... Yes politicians in general seem to have a hard time keeping it in their pants but the Democrats dont yammer on and on about family values! It's much funnier when a Republican gets caught!! hahaha

Please, for once ... let's leave all politics out of this beause it doesn't have anything do with any political partys ... this is an unforgiveable thing done by a person who knew it was wrong and he's admitted that ... actually, this could happening with many others who aren't even registered to vote but you won't hear about them because they aren't living in the public eye ...

"i understand and deserve the feelings of anger and disappointment among my friends and family. There are no excuses and I take full responsibility for for the hurt I have caused. I have apologized to Maria, my children and my family. I am truly sorry" REPUBLICAN

"I want that woman to look like a liar and ruin any credibility she has" "I did not have sex with that woman Monica Lewinski" "It all depends on what the definition of 'is' is" DEMOCRAT